Governor Greg Abbott has instructed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to raise the readiness level of the Texas State Emergency Operations Center to Level II (Escalated Response) due to anticipated critical wildfire danger in western Texas starting today.
“Texas is taking action to strengthen wildfire preparedness and protection across our great state,” said Governor Abbott. “I have directed the strategic placement of personnel and resources to equip our first responders with the tools they need to act swiftly in high-risk areas to save lives and protect critical infrastructure. I thank the Texas Division of Emergency Management, our local leaders, and first responders for their efforts to protect Texans from the threat of wildfire.”
The Texas A&M Forest Service forecasts elevated to critical fire weather conditions through Thursday across West Texas and the High Plains, with strong winds, dry fuels, and above-normal temperatures expected. These factors may lead to blowing dust, hazardous travel conditions, and difficulties for responders controlling new fires. Fire weather risks could move eastward later this week before easing after a cold front Thursday night.
At Governor Abbott’s direction, TDEM has asked representatives from several agencies—including transportation, health services, agriculture, public safety, utility commissions, and voluntary organizations—to report to the State Operations Center. Additional wildfire response resources are being mobilized statewide.
Currently available resources include over 500 firefighters from various agencies; more than 150 pieces of heavy equipment; over 25 federally contracted firefighting aircraft; incident management teams; medical support packages; helicopters from the National Guard; road monitoring personnel; game wardens; disaster assessment agents for agriculture needs; power outage monitoring staff; natural gas supply monitors; environmental quality teams; technology infrastructure monitors; and school district liaisons.
These deployments supplement state resources activated earlier by Governor Abbott over the weekend for local wildfire response.
Residents are encouraged to avoid activities that might cause sparks, prepare emergency kits and plans, and follow local guidance. Wildfire safety information is available at TexasReady.gov and tfsweb.tamu.edu. All-hazards preparedness details can be found at tdem.texas.gov/prepare.
Governor Abbott leads an office recognized for its role in job growth and record employment levels in Texas according to its official website. The governor’s office also maintains primary operations in Austin at the State Insurance Building according to official records, focuses on economic opportunity and education enhancement per its mission statement, was recognized by TIME among the 100 Most Influential People in 2024 according to reports, has been led by Greg Abbott since his election in 2014 according to official history, and provides services statewide throughout Texas.
